Seafood Lobby Fables

When reports about mercury risks from fish consumption appear in the media, the seafood lobby often responds with vigorous denials, trivializing the mercury problem. The barrage of conflicting information is confusing, and it can be difficult for reporters–and consumers–to sort fact from fiction.

The seafood lobby’s version of reality is based on a dozen or so fables, which they repeat again and again. Choose a fable from the list at the left, to learn how the industry exaggerates, distorts, misrepresents or occasionally simply makes up facts on particular topics. We explain, in response to each fable, the actual facts and what they mean.